U.S. Mission to the United Nations: Statement on the Iran, North Korea, and Burma Human Rights

The United States welcomes decisions by the UN General Assembly's Third Committee to highlight human rights abuses in Iran, Burma, and North Korea.

 

This year's resolution on Iran, which passed this afternoon by a record margin, underscores the ongoing, systematic targeting of human rights defenders by the Government of Iran. Lawyers, journalists, Internet providers and bloggers have been harassed, intimidated, interrogated and arbitrarily detained as a consequence of their exercise of speech and the press in Iran. The Government of Iran continues to violently repress women, minority groups, and broad sections of civil society. We share the General Assembly's deep concerns about such abuses and join its call for the Iranian government to cooperate fully with the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights.

 

On North Korea, the General Assembly has noted the government's continuing refusal to cooperate with the Secretary-General's Special Rapporteur for human rights and "the persistence of continuing reports of systematic, widespread and grave violations of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights." This includes cruel and degrading treatment, including public executions and extrajudicial and arbitrary detentions, as well as profound restrictions on freedom of thought.

 

On Burma, the General Assembly has welcomed recent talks between the government and Aung San Suu Kyi and opposition parties, reflecting the international community's hope for progress in the country. Today's resolution calls on the government to lift all restrictions on the freedoms of assembly, association and movement and the freedom of expression, and expresses continuing concern over violations of human rights.

 

Today's votes show that the international community will continue to side with the UN's founding values, as articulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and against violators of human rights.

Urging an End to the Violence in Burma

Victoria Nuland

Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

The United States is concerned by on-going violence in Burma’s northern Kachin State and other regions of the country and calls for a halt to hostilities. The Burmese Army and the Kachin Independence Army began fighting on June 9 and have continued over the past three weeks. We are particularly concerned by the reports of human rights abuses in the area, including reports of casualties, rape, and displacement of thousands of local residents. There have also been reports of clashes in Karen and Shan states.

We urge all appropriate authorities to ensure, in line with international standards, adequate support, safety, and protection for those persons fleeing conflict along Burma’s borders. This recent violence underscores the need for an inclusive dialogue between the Government of Burma and opposition and ethnic minority groups to begin a process of genuine national reconciliation.

Burma's Independence Day

By Mark C. Toner

Acting Department Spokesman

Tuesday, January 4, 2011 marks the 63rd anniversary of Burma’s independence. We offer our congratulations to the people of Burma on this occasion.

We are unwavering in our support for an independent, peaceful, prosperous, and democratic Burma. The United States remains prepared to improve bilateral relations, but looks to the Burmese Government to meet the aspirations of its diverse peoples by freeing all political prisoners and engaging in an inclusive and meaningful dialogue with all its citizens in pursuit of genuine national reconciliation.

We join the international community in anticipating the day when Burma’s citizens will succeed in their peaceful efforts to exercise freely their universal human rights.